Kelechi Nwakali to Arsenal: Nigerian U20 midfielder will arrive in north London in June after agreeing 5-year deal

Kelechi Nwakali has been on Arsenal's radar since he led the Nigeria U17 side to World Cup glory in Chile last yearGetty

Arsenal are close to announcing their second signing of the summer after Diamond Football Academy president confirmed that Kelechi Nwakali will travel to north London this month to begin training with the Gunners. The Nigeria U20 international has agreed a five-year deal with the club after impressing during last year's U17 World Cup.

"Kelechi Nwakali was with Arsenal but came back from London to join the national team. He will travel this month to Arsenal, he is still in the Flying Eagles camp," Agupo told allnigeriasoccer.com.

"He has agreed a five-year contract, he is a player of Arsenal," the Diamond football academy president added.

Nwakali was the captain of the Nigeria U17 team that went on to win the cup in Chile last year, where he was also named the player of the tournament. Arsene Wenger has been tracking the midfielder since last year and in early 2016 he confirmed the clubs interest. However, he admitted that work-permit issues delayed the move.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who has been likened to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, was also on the radar of Manchester City and Bayern Munich, but the Gunners seem to have beaten off competition with the player tweeting his imminent arrival, saying: "New life begins at Arsenal," on his official Twitter account.

Wenger is said to have spent over £2m ($3m) to beat off competition and bring the midfielder to the Emirates Stadium, and according to the Mirror, the Nigerian U17 star will join the Arsenal U21 side – who will taking part in Division 1 of the U21 Premier League – for the upcoming 2016/17 season.

"Kelechi has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal. I won't be able to mention the exact transfer fee but it is above £2m," the 17-year-old midfielder's agent said, as quoted by The Sun.